Torpedo recovery device

ABSTRACT

A torpedo recovery device including a net with a float in the tapered foot and a framework for supporting the net.

Bite States tent 11 1 Ramsey et a1.

[ 1 Oct. 23, 1973 TORPEDO RECOVERY DEVICE lnventors: William R. Ramsey, 3725 Festival Court, Chula Vista, Calif. 92201; Phillip B. West, 557 Lavander Lane, Norfolk, Va. 23462; Charles E. Fields, 108A S. Sparrow Dr.; Robert E. Smith, 113A S. Sparrow Dr., both of Barking Sands, Kauai,

Hawaii 96752 Filed: May 26, 1972 Appl. No.: 257,129

u.s. c1. 114/241, 43/7, 89/1 A,

114/20 R 1111.01 863g 9/04 Field of Search 114/238, 241, 235 R,

114/235 B, 20; 43/7, 8, 9; 244/] TD, 137 P; 89/1 A References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hettinger 114/20 R Richardson et a1. 244/137 P Mattenson 244/137 P McDonald 43/9 Niskin 1 43/7 Green 43/8 Primary ExaminerGeorge E. A. Halvosa Assistant Examiner-Edward R. Kazenske I Attorney-Richard S. Sciascia et al.

ABSTRACT A torpedo recovery device including a net with a float in the tapered foot and a framework for supporting the net.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PMENIEDUCI 23 I975 SZiLLT l U TORPEDO RECOVERY DEVICE STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a torpedo recovery device and more particularly to a net construction designed to retrieve expended torpedoes floating either horizontally or vertically in the water.

2. Description of the Prior Art The recovery of exercise torpedoes has always been a challenge because of the numerous problems involved. First, it is difficult to spot floating torpedoes from a recovery boat. Second, when using recovery boats, the retrieval of torpedoes in heavy seas is very arduous. Third, boat recovery almost always requires the use of divers which increases the possibility of injury, and fourth, the torpedoes very often suffer damage in boat recovery.

However, the present invention, being deployed from a helicopter, will allow spotting and recovery of expended torpedoes very quickly, even in stormy seas. It does not require the use of divers and because the torpedo is recovered in a net, less damage results thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing advantages have been achieved by a device which recovers exercise torpedoes from the sea by helicopter. It includes a net with a ring at one end tapering to a foot where a float is located. A pair of Iongitudinal rods are attached in spaced relationship to the ring and to opposite sides of a cross bar supporting the foot. Lifting and guidance cables lead to the supporting helicopter.

The net is directed so as to trap the torpedo therein after which the net and torpedo are lifted from the water and returned to a base facility.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a recovery device for expended torpedoes capable of being used in conjunction with a helicopter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a torpedo recovery device which prevents damage to the torpedo.

A further object of the invention is to provide a torpedo recovery device which does not require a diver and hence is safer during operation thereof.

A still further object is to provide a torpedo recovery device which is economical in manufacture and efficient in operation.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing the present torpedo recovery device suspended from a helicopter and in the process of netting a torpedo.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the invention partially cut-away showing the net extended between the front ring and the crossbar.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4. is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing there is shown a torpedo recovery rig indicated generally as 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the net 12 preferably made of nylon mesh is substantially 10 feet long with a 36-inch diameter ring 14 at one end 16 tapering to a 12-inch diameter foot 18 where a styrofoam float 20 is attached. A pair of longitudinal rods 22 and 24 are attached to ring 14 substantially degrees apart and are connected to the opposite ends of a cross-bar 26 supporting the foot 18. A guidance and lifting rod 28 is attached tothe ring 14 through lifting eye 30 and extends to a helicopter used in deploying the rig.

The net 12 is attached to ring 14 by lugs 32 posi tioned at equally spaced intervals about the under surface of the ring as shown best in FIG. 3. The net 12, as stated above, tapers to a foot 18 which is attached to a float holding frame 34. by a series of lugs 36. The frame 34 serves to hold the float 20 in position and to spread the foot 18 of net 12 to its full width.

A pair of elastic cords 38 and 40 are connected at one end to each edge 42 and 44 of frame 34 and at the opposite end to cross'bar 26.

A sea anchor cable 46 is connected at one end to the center area 48 of crossbar 26 and at the other end to a sea anchor 50. The latter is a funnel shaped device which when pulled through the water will assist in extending net 12 to its full length and slow the movement of the net which will permit better deployment thereof.

Thus, in operation the helicopter 32 will hover over the torpedo to be recovered and crewmen therein, using the guidance rod 28 will maneuver the net 12 so that the torpedo enters the ring 14 and is encircled by the net. The net, with the torpedo inside, is then lifted from the water and carried to a base facility with little if any damage occurring thereto as a result'of the recovery operation. Torpedoes floating in either a vertical or a horizontal position can be recovered in this manner.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

l. A recovery device for retrieving elongate floating objects from the sea comprising:

a. a hoop of sufficient size to admit the object therethrough;

b. an elongate tubular net having an open mouth portion and a closed foot portion, said open portion being secured about the periphery of said hoop and arranged to envelope an object passed therethrough;

c. a net straightening framework extending alongside said net and serving to hold the net straight in order to prevent entanglement thereof during capture of an object;

d. said net straightening framework including a support bar attached to the foot of said net, and a pair of rods attached to the ring substantially 180 apart and extending the length of the net where they are connected to opposite ends of the support bar;

e. float means for providing buoyancy to the foot portion of said net, said float means being attached to a float holding frame at the foot of said net;

f. a pair of elastic cords connected at one end to the respective edges of said float holding frame and at the other end to said support bar thus providing a flexible support arrangement for the foot of said net; and

g. a hoist line secured to said hoop to enable lifting is styrofoam. 

1. A recovery device for retrieving elongate floating objects from the sea comprising: a. a hoop of sufficient size to admit the object therethrough; b. an elongate tubular net having an open mouth portion and a closed foot portion, said open portion being secured about the periphery of said hoop and arranged to envelope an object passed therethrough; c. a net straightening framework extending alongside said net and serving to hold the net straight in order to prevent entanglement thereof during capture of an object; d. said net straightening framework including a support bar attached to the foot of said net, and a pair of rods attached to the ring substantially 180* apart and extending the length of the net where they are connected to opposite ends of the support bar; e. float means for providing buoyancy to the foot portion of said net, said float means being attached to a float holding frame at the foot of said net; f. a pair of elastic cords connected at one end to the respective edges of said float holding frame and at the other end to said support bar thus providing a flexible support arrangement for the foot of said net; and g. a hoist line secured to said hoop to enable lifting force to be applied to the net and to an object enveloped thereby.
 2. The recovery device of claim 1 wherein: a sea anchor attached to the center of said support bar, said sea anchor acting to slow the recovery device in the ocean during deployment thereof.
 3. The recovery device of claim 1, wherein: said net being substantially 10 feet in length with the foot being about 12 inches in diameter; and said ring being about 36 inches in diameter.
 4. The recovery device of claim 1 wherein said float is styrofoam. 